Do Learning Communities Make a Difference?

Abstract

Introductory political sciences courses can be both a blessing and a curse for professors. At many universities they are required classes, creating a demand for more sections and hence more professors. However, these classes are often sizable and, to make matters worse, full of disinterested students. A recent report finds that only 28% of the freshman class of 2000 believes that it is very important or essential to keep current with political affairs (Bennett and Bennett 2001). Teaching in a room full of disinterested students is a formidable